I must have one of the smartest dogs in the world. She has taken it upon herself recently to cover every square foot of my yard with some kind of hole. My yard has more holes in it than a package of Swiss cheese. She must know that fall is a great time to plant flowering bulbs, and she is preparing my yard for approximately 50,000 plants.

Spring-flowering bulbs consist largely of the so-called Dutch bulbs: planted in the fall, they bloomthe following spring. Bulbs are nothing more than modified plant parts, used to store food to insure the plant’s survival during adverse weather conditions. Bulbs are sold in a variety of retail outlets, as well as numerous mail-order catalogues. Always buy form a reputable dealer. Avoid bulbs that are soft, look molded or discolored. Bulbs should be firm and have an unblemished skin.

Before planting bulbs just anywhere in your yard, try to select a site that provides at least six to 10 hours of direct light per day. This doesn’t mean you will need to plant in areas that receive full sun, because many spring-flowering bulbs bloom and produce foliage well before deciduous trees leaf out. Spring flowering bulbs will receive plenty of sun under the canopy of such trees which offer dense shade later in the season.

Preparing the soil for bulbous plants is relatively easy. Most bulbous plants prefer a moist, well-drained soil which does not remain wet and sticky after heavy rain or dry out too quickly. Good drainage is essential. If you are in doubt as to whether your soil has proper drainage, test for drainage before planting. Dig a hole about a foot deep (my dog is an expert) and fill it with water. The next day, fill the hole with water again and see how long it remains. If the water drains away in eight to 10 hours, the soil is sufficiently well drained to grow most bulbs.

Most bulbs prefer a ph that is higher than most of soils in this area, so before planting, it may be a good idea to incorporate lime into the soil. The addition of a balanced fertilizer 10-10-10, 8-8-8 ECT, will be helpful as well.

Planting depth and spacing is very important to the success of bulbs. Most spring flowering bulbs will be planted from two-four inches deep. Be sure to follow the recommendations for the species you are planting. If you have questions about planting depth, contact your local county agent. Spacing will vary from one to two inches to as much as several feet. When spacing bulbs, consider not only how much space each plant needs, but also how frequently it will be dug and divided. Now through December is a great time to plant bulbs. And if you need her, I will be glad to loan you my dog!

Bill Starr is Sumter County Extension agent/Agricultural and Natural Resources, University of Georgia Cooperativre Extension Service. Contact him at 924-4476.